Larson: Comply With the Law or Begin Impeachment Proceedings
Washington, D.C. – Today, Rep. John B. Larson (CT-01) released the following statement:
"Here in the Constitution State, we take the rule of law and the Constitution seriously. In our system of justice, the rule of law must be followed. No one is above or beneath the law, and everyone must be held accountable.
"After a complaint was made from a whistleblower within the Intelligence Community, the Trump-appointed Inspector General found the actions taken by the President to have risen to a level of ‘credible' and of ‘urgent concern', and reported them to the Director of National Intelligence. According to the law,[1] the Director of National Intelligence should have disclosed the whistleblower complaint to the appropriate Congressional committees by September 2nd. He did not! Director Maguire has yet to share the complaint with the Intelligence Committee, and the Committee has subpoenaed him to appear on Thursday.
"This is a defining moment. If the Director refuses to comply at Thursday's hearing, the Trump Administration has left Congress with no alternative but for the House to begin impeachment proceedings, which I will support."
1(C) Upon receipt of a transmittal from the Inspector General under subparagraph (B), the Director shall, within 7 calendar days of such receipt, forward such transmittal to the congressional intelligence committees, together with any comments the Director considers appropriate. (50 U.S. Code § 3033(k)(5)(C))